Excitement is building in the town as Southport’s King’s Gardens is set to reopen after a multi-million pound restoration project.

The work, which cost in the region of £.5.5m, is now in its final stages and the park will be open for business in time for the summer holiday season.

The new play area, which features Tolkien style tree houses and rope bridges, was set to open yesterday afternoon to the delight of thousands of eager Southport children.

The contractors compound is expected to be removed just after Easter, and pedestrians will be able to cross the Venetian bridge for the first time since the work began in January 2013.

Workers have refurbished the Edwardian structure with decking, lighting, timber balustrade and handrails, and the bridge could become the new jewel in the park’s crown.

The project was one of the largest of its type in the UK. Marine Lake Café and nine Victorian shelters dotted around the park have been refurbished, and a new purpose built visitor centre has been built near the carousel.

New paths have been created in the 20 acre park, and disabled access improved.

Samuel O'Brien, from the Friends of King’s Gardens, praised the builders’ attention to detail.

He said: “We are thrilled with the restoration and the works that have taken place such as restoration of the nine Victorian shelters, Venetian bridge, new lighting, new planting, new play area, new visitors centre and can't believe the transformation of the whole site from the sad and neglected state that it was previously in.

“We have been impressed with the attention to detail that the specialist contractors have focused on to ensure a thorough and sympathetic restoration of the Edwardian gardens.

“Community involvement in the gardens is vital for its ongoing maintenance and success. Once the project is complete we will be responsible for working with Sefton Council to ensure the gardens are maintained.”

Colin Poole, who hires out boats on Marine Lake and runs the road train through the gardens, said: “My hopes for this season are that the work in the King’s Gardens will be finished before the main part of the holiday season starts and that the years disruption that we have suffered will be worth it. Oh, and that the sun shines all summer of course.

“Operating the road train and the boats is a very rewarding occupation as they give a lot of pleasure to a lot of people.”

Norman Vallante, who has two ice-cream vans in the gardens, said: “Sunshine is the key. That is all we need this summer.”

Jenny Clark, has run the Lakeside Miniature Railway with her husband Donald since 2001.

She said: “Although we are not officially part of the gardens, the train runs alongside it. We too hope that the work is completed soon, and that we have another long, hot summer.”

The historic seafront gardens were awarded more than £4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) through their Parks for People programme.

For more information and to get involved email fokg@gmail.com or go to the Friends of King’s Gardens page on Facebook.